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As a CA native, and CA business owner, my roots are in CA. I currently reside in New Mexico, where I operate another small business.

For years CA has continued downward in a death spiral. The CA of my youth is gone forever. Illegal immigration, high taxes, uber-liberal policies have ruined a once-great state.

For the past 10 years we have vacationed in California. Newport Beach, San Diego, San Fran, and Big Sur to name a few of our favorite places. We generally spend $10 to $12K a year on our CA trip. This year we are taking a stand: we cannot continue to support CA.

Last year our trip to SoCal was horrible. At our hotel, we could barely find an English-speaking worker. The service was horrible. Every restaurant we went to was the same way. The car rental tax was more than the base car rental. The lodging tax was the same. A drink at the hotel bar was $14. Traffic is a nightmare. You guys are so caught up in trying to survive another day you have lost sight of what CA used to be.

Last year I booked a week at Hotel Del for this summer - my wife likes the ocean rooms and you have to get them early. Last week, we decided to cancel. When I called to cancel, the agent on the phone asked a few questions about why we were doing so. I basically told her what I posted above. She indicated she was not surprised, and had heard that alot. I made it clear it was not the economy, it was CA in general. She understood; she and her husband were looking for a way out of CA.

I will miss you, CA. I will miss the ocean, the sunsets, and the seafood. Get your act together and maybe we'll come back.

This year my $10K is going to the state of Maine. I hope they speak English.

Maine speaks English and French (at least based on feedback from my friends who live there).

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